To Kill A Mockingbird Coaching: Ch.

1-4
Take a few minutes to go over Chapters 1-4 as a whole. For each chapter, spend
1-2 minutes:

Summarizing the plot make sure everyone understands whats going on.
Answering any basic questions you might have.

Then, youve got some options.

For a more mild coaching session, choose 2-3 chapters to discuss below. Consider the
BIG QUESTION at the bottom. Take a shot at it!
For a more spicy coaching session you can:
o a) Answer every questions for each chapter ( go wide!)
o b) focus your allotted time on one question (go deep!)

Chapter 1
Read aloud Scouts description of Maycomb in the first chapter, beginning with Maycomb
was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. What words does Harper
Lee, with Scout as the narrator, use to paint a picture of Maycomb? If Maycomb were a
person, how would you describe its personality?

Chapter 2
How does the author use the description of Miss Caroline (p. 21) to suggest something about
her personality and style as a teacher? How does the description accentuate the personality
clash between Scout and her teacher?
What words and phrases do Scout and Atticus use to describe the Cunninghams in this
chapter? How are the Cunninghams different from the Finches? How are they similar

Chapter 3
How does Calpurnia fit into the social hierarchy* in this chapter? Which characters have
more power than she does? Who has less?
* There are different classes of people in the society depending on their economic status, educational status, racial status etc. which comprise the
existing social class hierarchy.

How do particular situations and circumstances affect how our identity is perceived? How
might Calpurnias identity be different in the Finch home from her identity in her own home

Chapter 4
How does Jem use stereotypes about gender to influence Scout? How does Scout feel about
her gender? How do you know?

The Big Question: Chapters 1-4

Who is the other? Who are the others in Maycomb? Who are the others in a
community you belong to? What can we do to understand people who are different from us?